The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) is a joint initiative of the European Union, international financial institutions, bilateral donors, and beneficiaries of this instrument, established with the aim of financing the preparation and implementation of infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy, environment, digital and social infrastructure.
The volume of grants per project depends on the type of project and is calculated in relation to the total investment value. The maximum share of grants may reach up to 50% for sustainable transport projects, up to 30% for energy projects, up to 70% for environment projects, up to 30% for social infrastructure projects, and up to 30% for digital infrastructure projects.
From February 2014 to July 2025, the Republic of Serbia has been awarded:
- 25 investment grants with a total value of EUR 1,034.4 million;
- 34 technical assistance grants with a total value of over EUR 57 million.
Below is an overview of the awarded investment grants by sector:
TRANSPORT
1. Modernisation of the Niš–Dimitrovgrad railway line to the Bulgarian border, section: Sićevo–Staničenje–Dimitrovgrad
Grant amount: EUR 43,730,000
2. Modernisation of the Niš–Dimitrovgrad railway line to the Bulgarian border – installation of safety, signalling and telecommunication systems
Grant amount: EUR 27,777,000
3. Construction of the E80 motorway, Niš–Merdare, section Niš–Pločnik
Grant amount: EUR 40,600,000
4. Modernisation of the Niš–Dimitrovgrad railway line to the Bulgarian border – Niš bypass
Grant amount: EUR 34,411,260
5. Corridor Middle East – Eastern Mediterranean, Railway Corridor 10 in the Republic of Serbia: Belgrade – Mladenovac – Niš, section Stalać–Đunis
Grant amount: EUR 80,150,000
6. Rhine – Danube Corridor: Removal of the German World War II sunken fleet from the Danube near Prahovo
Grant amount: EUR 15,850,000
7. Corridor Middle East – Eastern Mediterranean, Railway Corridor 10 in the Republic of Serbia: Belgrade – Mladenovac – Niš, section Paraćin–Trupale–Međurovo
Grant amount: EUR 168,966,498
8. Corridor Middle East – Eastern Mediterranean, Railway Corridor 10 in the Republic of Serbia: section Velika Plana – Paraćin
Grant amount: EUR 151,386,109
9. Reconstruction and modernisation of the existing railway and construction of the second track on the Belgrade Centre – Mladenovac – Velika Plana section
Grant amount: EUR 179,696,966
ENVIRONMENT
1. Makis – extension of the water treatment plant
Grant amount: EUR 2,940,865
2. Construction of the sewerage system “Palilula”, Belgrade
Grant amount: EUR 35,495,008
ENERGY
1. Construction of the 400 kV transmission line Kragujevac–Kraljevo, with the upgrade to 400 kV of the Kraljevo 3 substation, Trans-Balkan Corridor – Phase I, Section II
Grant amount: EUR 6,600,000
2. Construction of a new double 400 kV transmission line Obrenovac–Bajina Bašta, with the reconstruction of existing substations Obrenovac and Bajina Bašta, and upgrade of the Bajina Bašta substation to 400 kV
Grant amount: EUR 18,930,000
3. Construction of a 400 kV transmission line interconnection between Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Trans-Balkan Corridor, Phase I, Section IV)
Grant amount: EUR 8,500,000
4. Procurement and installation of an advanced metering system – Phase 1A (Electricity distribution network development – “EDS metering”)
Grant amount: EUR 7,840,000
5. Reconstruction of the Vlasina hydropower plants (HPPs)
Grant amount: EUR 15,481,586
6. Construction of a wind farm in Kostolac
Grant amount: EUR 30,000,000
7. Rehabilitation of the Bistrica hydropower plant (HPP)
Grant amount: EUR 7,463,800
8. Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme (Phase III)
Grant amount: EUR 21,500,000
9. Development of the biomass market in the Republic of Serbia (Component II)
Grant amount: EUR 9,000,000
10. Reconstruction of HPP Potpeć with the construction of an additional generation unit
Grant amount: EUR 15,240,000
11. Integration of renewable energy into the district heating system of the City of Novi Sad
Grant amount: EUR 24,085,078
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Construction of the University Children’s Hospital “Tiršova 2” in Belgrade
Grant amount: EUR 35,000,000
2. Improvement of energy efficiency and integrated energy management at the campus of technical faculties in Belgrade
Grant amount: EUR 20,793,606
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Rural broadband connectivity – Phase II
Grant amount: EUR 33,000,000
For more information, please visit: https://www.wbif.eu/